TOWN DRAW AT HOME TO SITTINGBOURNE

Whitstable Town should have put their game against Sittingbourne out of sight as they dominated large parts of the game but in the end were happy to hang to a point at the Belmont on Tuesday evening.

Sittingbourne did start the strongest and had the first opportunity after nine minutes when Hicham Akhazzan looped the ball over from the wing and the ball hit the top of the cross bar and away for a goal kick. However as the half progressed Town began to take a grip on the game playing some attractive football. On 21 minutes new signing Jack Parter ran in and shot just over the bar. Within three minutes Scott Heard hooked a shot again just over the bar. After 28 minutes there was a quick interchange of passes on the edge of the penalty area

Sittingbourne defenders clear the danger

that ended with Heard firing just wide of the target. Finally Town broke through on half an hour when Heard put in Matt Martin who was able to slot the ball between the legs of Sittingbourne keeper Adam Molloy and into the back of the net to give them a deserved lead. One further chance came when Steve Hafner put in a corner which was met by Joe Kane but his shot went just wide. Just on half time Sittingbourne Manager Matt Wyatt was sent to the stands by the referee apparently for something he said to the linesman.

The early exchanges of the second half showed Sittingbourne getting back into the game. Joe Taylor had a chance on 49 minutes when he shot straight at Luke Watkins in the Town goal. Then on the hour Akhazzan shot the ball over the bar. However Town continued to attack as well and Heard spooned the ball over the bar on 67 minutes. On 76 minutes Matt Martin

Matt Martin threads the ball past Molloy to put Town ahead

shot beat keeper Molloy but there were a number of defenders who were able to clear the ball away. Sittingbourne drew level on with eleven minutes to go. There was confusion in the Town defence and with Watkins lying injured in the penalty area following a collision, Taylor was able to fire the ball home. The Town defence were now under the cosh as suddenly the Brickies looked more likely to take all three points but Whitstable stood firm. One incident that caused confusion when it appeared that Joe Lester was brought down in the penalty area. The referee initially looked like he was pointing to the spot but then had second thoughts and restarted the game with a drop ball. In fact Town had the last chance of the game as Parter fired a bullet shot which required an excellent save by keeper Molloy.

Town supporters left the ground feeling that is more two points dropped rather than one gained.